Planning and Community Services

Planning & Community Services Department Hours of Operation
Effective August 3, 2012 the Rolling Hills Planning Department's hours are:
Monday             8:00 am – 12:00 pm Counter Hours    and    12:00 pm - 5:00 pm  Appointment Only
Tuesday             8:00 am – 12:00 pm Counter Hours     and    12:00 pm - 5:00 pm  Appointment Only
Wednesday        8:00 am – 12:00 pm Counter Hours     and    12:00 pm - 5:00 pm  Appointment Only
Thursday           8:00 am - 12:00 pm Counter Hours     and    12:00 pm - 3:30 pm  Appointment Only
Friday                Counter is Closed

 
Tips for New Homeowners in Rolling Hills
Are you planning to develop property in Rolling Hills, remodel an existing structure, add-on to an existing structure or do construction of any type?  If so, there are a variety of zoning and building code requirements that must be met, guidelines applied to development applications and, City approval is required.  In advance of any construction, property owners are encouraged to call or visit City Hall to talk with the Planning Department to discuss your specific project.  
 
Planning and Development Application Materials and Professional Certifications, Schedule and Filing Deadlines
The following are application materials for review prior to meeting with the City to discuss a proposed construction project. that explain many of the City's zoning and building requirements, guidelines and processes. 

Planning Commission
The Planning Commission is scheduled to meet the 3rd Tuesday of the month, unless a special meeting or adjourned meeting is scheduled.

Planning Project Reports Archive
This link above helps you access archive Planning and Development records. All Planning records have been digitized and made readily available for easy access by the public. Access to architectural plans, if available, requires permission from the owner and plan preparer who signed the original document. In accordance with Section 19850 of the State of California’s Health and Safety Code, please submit the required authorization form to the Planning and Community Services Department to receive copies of plans.

Shen Residence (77 Portuguese Bend Road)
A Notice of Intent (NOI) was released to inform the public that an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) was prepared in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. The public review period is from December 15, 2022 to January 31, 2023. Comments on the IS/MND will be received during this period and a public hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
Project Description
The project site consists of an undeveloped 21.14-acre parcel located at 77 Portuguese Bend Road and existing private off-site access drive. The proposed project involves four components: 1) construction of an 8,847-square-foot single-family residence (hereafter referred to as “proposed home”); 2) construction of a 2,427-square-foot guesthouse; 3) construction of a 2,766-square-foot pool area; and 4) the re-alignment and potential modification of an existing road and driveway into the easement area located between residences at 73 and 74 Portuguese Bend Road. The proposed home would include two two-car garages, four bedrooms, four bathrooms and two half-bathrooms. Amenities associated with the proposed home would include an open central courtyard, a gym/workshop, a breakfast nook, a laundry room, and a pantry. The proposed guesthouse would include an open pond courtyard, one bedroom, one bathroom and one half-bathroom. The proposed pool area would include a swimming pool with a pool gate, jacuzzi, walkway, and pool deck. The proposed project would also include a 450-square-foot stable, a 550-square-foot corral, and a trash enclosure near the northern boundary of the project footprint.

Arvidson Residence (4 Poppy Trail)
On March 23, 2023, the driveway apron and widening were recommended for approval by the Traffic Commission. On September 12, 2023, the Planning Commission approved a proposal to construct a new 7,290-square-foot (SF) single-family residence with a 7,290 SF basement, 1,100 SF attached garage, 1,135 square feet of attached covered porches, 195 SF attached trellis, 540 SF swimming pool/spa, pool equipment, service yard, lightwells, maximum five-foot-high retaining walls, driveway, walkways, landscaping, and other improvements. The approval follows a series of public hearings on March 21, July 18, and August 15, 2023. The approved project had been revised during the process to eliminate an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) and reduce the amount of grading. On October 23, 2023, City Council considered the Planning Commission's action and Traffic Commission's recommendation and decided to take the project under their jurisdiction. On November 7, 2023, City Council held a field trip at the site. A public hearing will be held in the Council Chambers of City Hall at 7:00 PM on November 13, 2023.
Landscape Design Standards, Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance
Effective June, 2019:  The following are landscape plan requirements for residential projects for new or altered landscaping of 500 square feet or greater associated with projects subject to discretionary review or 2,500 square feet or greater associated with discretionary projects.

 
Hazard Mitigation Plan
The purpose of Hazard Mitigation Plan is to identify the potential hazards associated with fire, geological activity, flooding, and any combinations thereof. The plan is required to be updated periodically and was last updated in 2019.


Housing Element Update - 2021-2029
The City of Rolling Hills adopted the 2021-2029 6th Cycle Housing Element on September 26, 2022. The Housing Element was found by the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to be in full compliance with State Housing Law on November 23, 2022. The process to adopt the 6th Cycle Housing Element started with release of a draft on December 3, 2021. Various revisions were made over the following months to address comments received. The draft was sent to HCD for review on January 11, 2022, May 22, 2022, and September 27, 2022, and the City responded to HCD's comments each time. In addition to the Housing Element, the City worked on a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines to address potentially significant impacts generated by the Housing Element. 
Safety Element Update - 2022

The City of Rolling Hills began the process of updating the Safety Element in mid-2020 after being awarded funding from Cal-OES. The update will address a variety of natural and human-related hazards, and contains goals and policies aimed at reducing risks associated with these hazards. The Draft Safety Element was sent for review to the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection who did not have any recommendations. In addition to the Safety Element, a Negative Declaration has been prepared pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, which covers updates to the Housing Element and Safety Element. The Safety Element and Negative Declaration were adopted by the City Council on March 28, 2022.

Resolution No. 1314
Resolution No. 1291
Safety Element Update (amended to meet AB 2140)
Negative Declaration for the Safety Element
Notice of Intent to Adopt an Initial Study and Negative Declaration

General Plan
The City of Rolling Hills General Plan is, in effect, the constitution of the City and will serve as a blueprint for the long-range physical planning of the City.

 
Zoning Map

Developer Technical Information and Best Management Practices for Construction Sites
The following is information pertaining to new development and redevelopment within the City of Rolling Hills and Low Impact Development (LID) requirements and compliance pursuant to the LA County Municipal NPDES Permit (MS4 Permit).

 
General Planning, Development and Construction Information
The following is information pertaining to development projects and construction activity in the City of Rolling Hills. Prior to commencing any work on your property, please review the examples of Construction Projects below and contact the City for information on City requirements. 


Outdoor Lighting Requirements


Southern California Edison Construction Projects in Rolling Hills
The following is information pertaining to the 2014 and 2015 Southern California Edison construction projects in Rolling Hills.

 
Overlay Zone
The following is information pertaining to a special zone placed over an existing zoning district, for areas that are unique.

 
Stables
The following is information pertaining to stables and the significance of stables in the City of Rolling Hills.

 
Septic Systems and Cesspools

Solar - Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy Systems, AB 2188
In compliance with the requirements of California AB 2188 the City, through its contracted Building & Safety Departments is committed to provide an expedited, streamlined permitting process to encourage the use of small residential rooftop solar energy systems that involves either a photovoltaic system that is no larger than 10 kilowatts alternating current or a solar thermal system that is no larger than 30 kilowatts thermal.

MS4 Stormwater
Rainwater Harvesting Guide

Homeowner’s guide for Flood, Debris and Erosion Control

Undergrounding of Utility Lines, Formation of Assessment Districts and Capital Improvement Plan
The following is information pertaining to utility undergrounding and formation of assessment districts.

address :

2 Portuguese Bend Road Rolling Hills, CA 90274

Phone number :

+ (310)-377-1521

office Hours :

7:30 am - 5:00 pm Mon-Fri